Thread feeding device



Sept. 14, 1948. s. J. KETTERER Y THREAD FEEDING DEUCE Filed Nov. 15.1946 Patented Sept. 14, `14948 Stanley J. Ketterer, St. Louis, Mo.

Application November 15, 1946, Serial N0..710,020

9 ciaims. (ci. A242-156) The present invention rela'tes to an improvedthread feeding device particularly adapted for use in connection withsewing machines and the like in industry. I

Thread for sewing machines in the shoe or clothing manufacturingindustries, for example,

is furnished on spoolsor reels, as is well known. These spools areadapted to be rotatably mounted on a vertical spindle or pin secured toa support, which may or may not be part ofthe sewing machine, but whichis ordinarily located at a point some distance from the needle. In someinstances, the spindle is dispensed with.

The mass of thread about the hollow core of thespool is usually wound indiagonal layers, the successive turns of which alternately cross eachother from adjacent the top to the outstanding base flange of the spool,and vice versa, andthe spool is mounted with the base iiange thereofresting on a flat surface.

Assuming that the needle has been threaded `and that a sewing operationis commenced, a sudden jerk is imparted to the length of unwound threadbetween the supply spool and the mechanism associated with the needle,the moment the slackhas been taken up.` Since the supplyspool at thistimeis inert, the free'length of thread has a tendency to snap, `andfrequently` does. This hazard-is present whenever the sewing machine,having been stopped, is again set in motion.

The principal object of the present invention is to overcome this`disadvantage by the provisionof means whereby a' demand for more threadautomatically imparts a rotary motion to the supply spool, whilesimultaneously maintaining a slight tension on the thread. In otherwords,

at the start of each sewing operation,` except the` first, the length ofthread between the supply spool; and the` needle mechanism is devoid ofslack, and just as soon asthe needle requires more thread, the supplyspool is caused to rotate in the length thereof between the supply spooland the needle.

Also, incases where `ordinarily the supply spool- 2 has successive turnsor convolutions imparted to its unwound portion as the feeding proceeds.

It is therefore also an object of this invention to provide meanswhereby this disadvantage in feeding is eliminated.

Also an object of the invention is the provision of means whereby thefeed of thread from supply spools of various dimensions is facilitatedand controlled from the initial mounting of the` spool until its supplyhas been expended.

The foregoing objects andother features and advantages will be morefully set forth in the description to follow, reference being had alsoto the accompanying drawing in` which is illustrated the preferredembodiment of my invention.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my invention as it appears unattached to asupport;

Fig. 2 is a `front elevational view thereof attached to a stationarysupport indicated by broken lines; I

Fig.3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3inFig. 1 with the device attached, as indicated bythe broken lines, to astationary support;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged `horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4in Fig. 2; I

Fig. 5 is a similar View with certain components in moved position; U

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionalview taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 7 is a similar view taken on the line '1 -I in Fig. 2; V I

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are views of a diagrammatical nature designed toclarify the operationof the invention.

With particular reference to Figs. l, 2 `and 3, the device, generallyindicated bythe numeral Ill, is shown to include a mounting bracket II,an upwardly offset integral portion I2 of which is horizontally disposedand formsvthe `supporting arm or base for a revolvable platform orturntable I3, preferably circular in form.

The turntable I3 is` provided with an integral upwardly extendingtubular portion I4 having a closed rounded upper end I5 in which, asshown, is seated a spherical bearing member I6'. A disc I'I, of felt orthe like, is permanently secured to the upper surface of the turntable.

Rigidly supported on the longitudinal center-A line ofthe arm I2 is avertically disposed rod or spindle whose lower end I8` is threaded andwhose upper extremity I9 is in contact with the ball bearing I6 embodiedin the upper end oi the tubular member I4.

guide'lop 34 is elongated to permit up and down travel of the threadtherein during feeding, as indicated in Fig. l0. SThus any tendency ofthe thread totwist is minimized.

Assuming now that `the sewing" operation has been 'completed and pull onthe thread t ceases, the spring immediately pulls the rod 30 and the pad33 thereon in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow a in Fig.5.' At once, the top 38 of the pad engages the rotating undersurface ofthe platform I3, automatically bringing the turntable to astandstll, andat the same time taking up any s'lackthat may eXist in the unwoundlength of thread between the spool and the needle mechanism. l

It is `thus manifest that the element which initially imparts a rotarymotion to the `turntable acts also as a |brakei subsequently arrestingfurther rotary motion thereof. i It should also be obvious that thecycle described may be repeated* intermittently until" the thread on thesupply spool has been depleted. Thereupon the bare spool may be easilyremoved and replaced with a loaded'one. l While the invention has beendescribed in 4connection with a sewing machine, it is understood thatits use in conjunction with other apparatus requiring the feeding ofthread, string, 01 the like is also contemplated.`

Furthermore, it is toibe Vunderstoodthat the precise mechanismillustrated and described is subject to modification without Adepartingfrom the spirit of my invention.

` What is claimed is:A n

1. A device for feeding thread to a sewing machine from a `supply spoolcomprising a bracket adapted for mounting on astationary support, anupwardly offset horizontally disposed arm integral'therevvith,` avertically disposed spindle rigidly secured to said arm, said spindlehaving a lower perpendicular portion merging into an upper angularlydisposed portion, a turntable supported by and freely rotatable aboutthe upper portionof said spindle, means for alternatively starting andstopping the revolution of said turntable automatically at the beginningand end respectively of a sewing operation, and a thread guidecomprising an elongated loop member formed on one end of a horizontalrod included in said turntable starting and stopping means.

2. A device for feeding thread to a sewing machine from a supply spoolcomprising a bracket adapted for mounting on a stationary support, anupwardly offset horizontally disposed arm integral therewith, avertically disposed spindle rigidly secured to said arm, said spindlehaving a lower perpendicular portion merging into an upper angularlydisposed portion, a turntable supported by and freely rotatable aboutsaid upper portion of the spindle, said turntable including a platformportion and an integral upwardly extending tubular portion having aclosed rounded upper end in which is seated a spherical bearing member,means for alternatively starting and stopping the revolution of saidturntable automatically at the beginning and end respectively of asewing operation, and a thread guide in the form of an elongated loopformed on one end of a horizontally disposed relatively slender rodincluded in said turntable starting and stopping means.

3. A device for feeding thread to a sewing machine from a supply spoolcomprising a bracket adapted for 4mounting on a stationary support, anupwardly offset horizontally disposed arm integral therewith, a4vertically disposed spindle rigidly secured to said arm, saidspindlehaving a lower perpendicular portion merging `into an `upperangularly disposed portion, a turntable supported by and freelyrotatable about the latter portion of said spindle, said turntableincluding a platform portion and an integral upwardly extending tubularportion having a closed rounded upper end in which is seated a sphericalbearing niember, `and a thread guide in the form of Yan elongated loopformed on one end of a horizontally disposed relatively slender rodwhose opposite end is provided with means adapted to automaticallyengage the underside of the platform of said turntable at the `beginningand at the end of-a sewing operation.

4. A device for feeding thread to a sewing machine from a supply spoolcomprising a bracket adapted for mounting on a stationary support; anupwardly offset horizontally disposed arm integral therewith, avertically disposed spindle rigidly secured -to said arm, said spindlehaving a lower perpendicular portionmerging into an upperangula-rlydisposed portion,` a turntable supported by and freelyrotatable about the latter portion of the spindle, said turntableincluding a platform portion and an integral upwardly extending tubularportion having a closed rounded upper end in which `is embedded aspherical bearing member in contact` with the upper extremityof saidspindle, a disc of felt Aor the like secured to the upper surface of theturntable platform, and a thread guide in the form of an elongated loopformed on one end of a horizontally disposed relatively slender rodWhose oppositefend is provided with means adapted to automaticallyengagethe underside of the platform of said turntable at the beginning and atthe end of a sewing operation. 4

5. A device for feeding thread'to asewing machine from av supply spoolcomprising a bracket adapted for mounting on a stationary support, anupwardly offset horizontally disposed armintegral therewith, avertically disposed spindle rigidly secured to said arm, said spindle`having a lower perpendicular portion merging into an upper angularlydisposed portion, a turntable supported by and freely rotatable aboutsaid upper portion of the spindle, said turntable including a platformportion and an integral upwardly extending tubular portion having aclosed rounded upper end n in which is embedded a spherical bearingmember in contact with the upper extremity of said spindle, a disc offelt or the like secured to the upper surface of said turntableplatform, and a thread guide in the Aform of an elongated loop formed onone end of a horizontally disposed relatively slender rod whose oppositeend is provided with a pad of leather or the like adapted toautomatically cause the turntable to revolve at the start and toautomatically cause the turntable to come to a standstill at the end ofa sewing operation.

6. In a device for feeding thread from a supply spool to a sewingmachine, a stationary bracket, an upwardly extending spindle rigid with.an integral horizontal arm of the bracket, said spindle including aperpendicular portion and an angularly disposed portion, a turntablefreely rotatable about and supported by the angularly disposed portionof sai-d spindle, a collar spaced from and beneath the underside of theturntable freely rotatable about the perpendicular portion of saidspindle, and means associated with the collar to automatically engagethe `underside of f 7 theizturntable at the start `.and ats-the end @ofeach Sewing: QDIQIl.

;In a device 4for l ieedlng thread from a-fsupply spool yto a sewingmachine, a stationary bracket, an upwardly -extendlngvspindle rigid withan integralhorizontal arm of the 'bracken said Spindle including aperpendicular portion and en angularly'vdisposed portion, ,altlllfntable freely rotatable about and supportedhy ."hezallglllarlydisposed Portion of saidspindle,,a collar Vspacedzfrorzn and beneaththe'underside of the turntable freely rotatable about the :perpendicularvportieri -ofsaid spindle, and means associated with' the collar toautomatically engage the underside of the vturntable :at the start andat the end of each sewing operation, said means including af relativelyslender horizontally disposedrrodp-passing through an aperti-1re linsaid Collar-r, a setsorewio' secure saidrod in place, an upwardly bentVertical portion-forming oneend of lthe rod, aipa'd of leather or :therlike permanen-tlyattached thereto, an lupwardlyextending elongated loopportion forming the other end of vthe rod, an upwardlyextending verticalpin terminating in a plane above the horizontal lplane of said rod rigidWith said bracket arm, and a .tension spring extending in a A,planebelow the horizontal plane ,of the rod Wltlrone end..attached itosaid-Vertical pin and the opposite end thereof `attached to saidsetscrew.

V8. ,In a device for feeding. thread from a supt ply spool to la. sewing4Iriacl'iine, andv including ya, tilted platform Arotatively mounted onan `angularly disposedportion of` a spindle supportedina stationarybracket, means whereby rotary move.- ment of said platform .is initiatedand ysulosequently arrested, said means .including a cylindrical collar,a vertical vbore formed therein eccentrically to the axis thereof, ahorizontal aperture also formed therein, a relatively slender rodextending through said aperture, a, setscrew to secure the rod againstmovement relative the collar, an upwardly bent verticalportion on oneend ofthe rod, a pad of leathervor the `'like secured thereto, anelongated upwardly extending thread lgulde termed on :the oppositeendlofcisald red'. end 1aerial.on means secured at one end to Saidsetsorew end at the opposite `end-ato einem` ber rigid with saidepindlexeupportine bracket.

19. A Ydeleite of the-oharaeter described :ineludine:braoketfexlapiesieto be arigidly `secured to fa Stationary eupport..en@ ndlr offset. laterally extending ermy int.neral with the bracket; everticall-y ldisposedy spindle ha ne .a *lower perpendicular portion.passing thro all Said arm and an upper angularlywdlsppsed portion,threads fo i. on the flower extremity .of said pennendpular'porf tion.anni: infeneagemeni therewith below saisi arm and gamut in -.epeaeenienttherewith ythere said arm, e smooth upper beerinezsurfacelon the latternut.,a-.collarprovided with e Smoothlower bearing vsurface,lpueneeeenlept 4with thel upper; bearing -lsurieee v.di :said nut:rotailyely flnpunted on the nonrthreaded perpendicular -ipprtiopwo thespindle@ ,horizontally disposed .Slender rod passing :throughangfaperture .in Said `tolleranti secured therein b y .a setscrem oneend of said rod terminating in anupwardly vvextending lthrehari guide inthe form of an elongated loop, ,thelpther end ofsaid rod terminating inan Jupwardly lbent vertical portion, a. pad of lea/ ther or thelike-secured yto,thelatter a verticalpin secured to the bracket arm,adiacent one `tornei thereof. Va -tension spring having one of its endssecuredtoisaid pin and its other end Secured to the .lsetscrew.Y aturntable comprising aoircular .platform portion and an .upwardlyextending ,tubular portion having a closed rounded upper-end,asphericalbearing seated therein, and a disc lof Afeltor the likesecured to the AAupper. surface ,of ,saidplatform.

"REFERENCES .CITED- The following :refereppes are of .record ,in thefile of. ,this patent:

UNITED PATENTS Name V:Date Wardwell, Jr. Sept. 6,1892

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